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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. Part of that ________________ required him to leave the singing group.
  2. Close the lid of the trash can to keep odors and pests at ________________.
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  5. Plant the tulip ________________ before the first frost.
  6. Scientists study ________________ cells to repair damaged tissue.
  7. Many English words ________________ from Latin.
  8. The sailing ship dropped anchor in the ________________.
  9. The big green plant was starting to droop at the ________________.
  10. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  11. ________________ games are popular in Germany.
  12. The ________________ will go to the well once too often.
  13. I'm currently on the ________________ of directors.
  14. Don't make such a big ________________ out of small things.
  15. My mare is ________________ in color.
  16. I've got to change the light ________________.
  17. He is an ace ________________.
  18. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  19. The captain is giving the order to ________________ the ship.
  20. The light ________________ burned out.
  21. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  22. Fill up this ________________ with water.
  23. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  24. We need to ________________ with this problem right now.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. deal — an agreement
  2. bay — to keep at bay
  3. chip — for betting
  4. ruler — for measuring
  5. bulb — of a plant
  6. stem — a stem cell
  7. stem — to come from
  8. bay — a part of the sea
  9. stem — of a plant
  10. chip — to eat
  11. board — a flat piece
  12. pitcher — a jug
  13. board — a committee
  14. deal — a big deal
  15. bay — a horse colour
  16. bulb — for light
  17. pitcher — in baseball
  18. ruler — a monarch
  19. board — to get on
  20. bulb — for light
  21. chip — in a computer
  22. pitcher — a jug
  23. ruler — for measuring
  24. deal — to handle

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com